With its urban agriculture project, PiantaNatura is a start-up that managed to bring micro-vegetables to Italian tables and to commercialise them as well.

"We grow over 25 varieties of edible plants including mustard, watercress, radish and rocket. We called these shoots Micro Ortaggi, which is the closest term to the English Microgreens," explains Marta Crippa, owner of the company together with William Thake.

William Thake and Marta Crippa, creators of the PiantaNatura start-up.

PiantaNatura was founded in 2015 in Mezzago in the Monza Brianza province north-east of Milan. It has a well-equipped production workshop covering 200 square metres with one hectare of experimental crops (which will soon become 5).

The philosophy behind this company is a sustainable approach towards food production with the objective of growing products with a high nutritional value and a low environmental impact.

PiantaNatura microgreens are grown from high-quality organic seeds.

The range includes cabbage, radish, beetroot, peas, coriander, basil, borage, red and white mustard, rocket, watercress and much more

"We want to supply interesting high-quality products without giving up our social and ecological commitment, which aims at food education and awareness."

"If we want a different future, a better one, we need to find a new way to do agriculture and establish a new fair relationship with nature.

"In our case, consumers can eat something that is still alive, that is still planted and so remains fresh for days. We noticed how very few products meet this criteria."

"Another interesting element is the micronutrient content, which is much higher than that of vegetables usually found in supermarkets. In addition, our products are organic and the packaging is entirely biodegradable made using energy deriving from renewable sources."

William adds that "currently, 100% of our products are destined to Italy but we are working to establish supply agreements abroad. In 2018, we would also like to implement short chain distribution, this is why we have set up a Business Network with the Mezzago asparagus grower cooperative."

"We do not fear competition as our main competitors work on an industrial level."

"We believe our bio-plastic packaging and organic certification can make a difference. The strength of this project lies in the challenge we share with the clients who choose us day after day. We would like to set up a quick production process with little waste."

"The time is ripe for such small plants with such great potential to become part of the eating habits of aware consumers."Contacts:Soc. Agr. PiantaNatura di Marta Crippa e William ThakeVia G. Puccini, 33 20872 Cornate d'Adda (MB) - ItalyCell.: (+39) 331 4772185 Email: info.piantanatura@gmail.comWeb: www.microortaggi.itWeb: www.piantanatura.it